US sanctions Israeli Hilltop Youth for West Bank attacks
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The US Treasury said it sanctioned the extremist Hilltop Youth group for destabilizing the West Bank and endangering the peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.
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This photo shows the US Treasury Department building in Washington, on June 6, 2019. (AP)
In a press release on Tuesday, the Department of the Treasury announced that the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Hilltop Youth, an Israeli Zionist settler group responsible for multiple attacks on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
"Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating Hilltop Youth, a violent extremist group that has repeatedly attacked Palestinians and destroyed Palestinian homes and property in the West Bank," the release stated.
By carrying out these attacks, Hilltop Youth was actively destabilizing the West Bank and jeopardizing the peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis, the release added.
"Hilltop Youth has devastated Palestinian communities and carried out killings, mass arson, and other so-called 'price tag' attacks to exact revenge and intimidate Palestinian civilians, and has repeatedly clashed with the Israeli military as it counters their activities," the release further said.
Additionally, the Department of State is designating Israeli citizen Eitan Yardeni for his involvement in violence or threats of violence against civilians in the West Bank, as well as Avichai Suissa, the leader of Hashomer Yosh, a group based in the West Bank, the release added.
Read more: Israeli settlers assault foreign volunteers in West Bank
Settler violence rose since October 7
Since the war on Gaza began in October, settler violence has led to the largest wave of forced displacements of Palestinians.
Settlers have attacked homes, established new outposts, and obstructed water access, resulting in the displacement of thousands Palestinians over the past year.
Allegra Pacheco, head of the NRC-led West Bank Protection Consortium (WBPC), said in August that Israeli authorities, as the occupying power, are directly responsible for the actions of these violent settlers.
"These attacks, occurring in broad daylight under the watching eyes and the protective force of the Israeli military, highlight the unlawfulness of Israel’s presence in the West Bank, as recently ruled by the International Court of Justice. Palestinians are being forced to leave their land in what clearly constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law," she said.
UN Condemnation
On August 28, several UN Security Council members, including the US, UK, and China, condemned Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and urged "Israel" to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
US envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the settler attacks "unacceptable" and urged Israeli authorities to take action to stop the violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
She also callsed for the release of Palestinian Authority tax revenues to support essential services as it provides "essential services, ensure peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, all of which are key to Israel's security interests."
Read more: Settler violence forces 'largest' Palestinian displacement since Oct 7
On September 18, the UN General Assembly member states passed a non-binding resolution demanding that "Israel" end its occupation of Palestinian territories within 12 months, with sanctions for non-compliance.
The resolution, based on an International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion declaring the occupation unlawful since 1967, saw 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. Arab countries initiated the special session just before the UN General Assembly.
The resolution calls for "Israel's" withdrawal from occupied territories, halts on new settlements, and the return of seized lands.
It also suggests that countries cease arms sales to "Israel" when there is evidence that the arms are used in occupied areas.
